The Philippines military stated it will not permit any structures to be built at Scarborough Shoal, a disputed feature in the South China Sea, following the appearance of a floating platform deployed by Chinese research vessels.
The Philippines' firm stance signals a potential escalation in the South China Sea dispute, as it directly challenges China's activities in a strategically important and heavily contested area.
The Philippines military has declared it will not permit any structures to be built at Scarborough Shoal, a sensitive disputed feature in the South China Sea. This statement comes after satellite images revealed a possible floating platform deployed by Chinese research vessels in the area.
Military Public Affairs Office chief Xerxes Trinidad stated during a media briefing that the Philippines is "not allowing that to happen" and will not permit any part of the shoal to be ceded to a foreign nation. When asked about potential military action if a permanent structure were erected, Trinidad described such a scenario as speculative.
Scarborough Shoal, a triangular coral reef formation with a lagoon, is situated approximately 124 nautical miles off the Philippine coast and 874 kilometers from China’s Hainan province. Both countries claim sovereignty over the shoal, which has become a focal point in their ongoing South China Sea dispute.